I think it might be a bit early for the 72% of voters turned out comment by the Iraqi official, but other than that, a lot smoother than it could have been. For or against intervention in Iraq, most would have to admit this is better than the system they had for the previous 25 years.And, on the suicide bombers: The only good thing about the terrorists becoming suicide bombers is they only get one shot. Better that than planting explosives multiple times.

Originally posted by Wire Reports, from the Baltimore Sun 1/31/05illions of Iraqis went to polling places yesterday in the country's first free elections in 50 years, creating a festive atmosphere in parts of the capital even as attacks by insurgents killed at least 35 people.

The violence did not seem to deter most Iraqis, especially in the predominantly Shiite south or in the Kurdish-dominated north. In Baghdad, home to Sunni Muslims as well as Shiites, streets were closed to traffic but full of children playing soccer, and men and women walking, some carrying babies. People dropped their ballots into boxes even as mortar shells started exploding about midday. Some streets were packed with voters walking shoulder-to-shoulder to vote...

...The chairman of the Independent Election Commission of Iraq, Fareed Ayar, said as many as 8 million people turned out to vote, or between 55 percent and 60 percent of those registered to cast ballots. The figure was based on national returns, Ayar said, and included the provinces of Anbar and Nineveh, which have large Sunni populations.

Lot of people seem to have had no problems having their pictures taken with their inked fingers:

A blogger named Sissy Willis nailed it: This is the best thing ever for freedom and human happiness since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Let's not quibble about percentages. The point is that the same percentage of people showed up to vote in an election in which there was a chance of being physically injured as voted in recent US elections (60% in 2000, 58% in 1996). Maybe we should have our right to vote taken away for a while until people start to appreciate it like they apparently do.

Originally posted by Mr. BoffoLet's not quibble about percentages. The point is that the same percentage of people showed up to vote in an election in which there was a chance of being physically injured as voted in recent US elections

You think it's not dangerous to vote in our elections?

1. Run the Gauntlet of petty town or city workers standing just outside the 50 feet demanding to shake your hand.

2. Die of amazement when you can vote by just saying you're so and so.

3. Germs transferred to you from the marker pen or electronic screen.

4. Ingesting airborne chads. Ugh.

5. Fighting through the 47 exit poll interviews.

6. 8 hours of Rather, Brokaw and Jennings. Death by Boredom.

7. Fights by the coffee machine at work.

8. Oh yeah, the guy you vote for might send you to protect against scarey elections in other countries.

Citizens of Al Mudhiryiah (a small town in the "death triangle") were subjected to an attack by several militants today who were trying to punish the residents of this small town for voting in the election last Sunday.

The citizens responded and managed to stop the attack, kill 5 of the attackers, wounded 8 and burned their cars.3 citizens were injured during the fire exchange. The Shiekh of the tribe to whom the 3 wounded citizens belong demanded more efforts from the government to stop who he described as "Salafis".

Citizens of Al Mudhiryiah (a small town in the "death triangle") were subjected to an attack by several militants today who were trying to punish the residents of this small town for voting in the election last Sunday.

The citizens responded and managed to stop the attack, kill 5 of the attackers, wounded 8 and burned their cars.3 citizens were injured during the fire exchange. The Shiekh of the tribe to whom the 3 wounded citizens belong demanded more efforts from the government to stop who he described as "Salafis".

(edited by Grimis on 4.2.05 0805)

Good Story. This is what will have to happen to bring peace and stability to the area. We can place 1 million troops there but it's up to the Iraqis to take back their country.